I’ll get to the point: I vow to NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. So I begin every preschool class by singing a personal greeting to each child!

First, and most importantly, it helps me to learn all of their names. It helps engage them, and transition from classroom time into music time. They wait so eagerly to hear their names, just as I did. And they *love* to correct me if I forget anyone. Seriously — class screeches to a halt until they are sure that everyone has been included. Which is wonderful!

We also greet all of our teachers and aides… and yours truly, Ms. Kat herself….

And here’s the part you might be familiar with: We sing our song again (and again, and again), replacing all the words with “meow, meows!”

We meow, meow like mama cats, daddy cats, big-kid cats, and baby cats…. and most recently, like race-car cats. I’m not sure I can adequately explain that last bit. Maybe I’ll post a demo video instead. 🙂

In the meantime, here are the super-simple lyrics to Ms. Kat’s Hello Song!

Hello to __________, hello to __________, Hello to __________, hello to __________. Hello to __________, how do you do? Hello to me, hello to you!

Ideas for Caregivers:

At a party, a playdate, or a family gathering — sing Ms. Kat’s Hello Song to each guest! Or, at home, to a collection of favorite dolls and stuffed animal friends.

Trying to kill time in a waiting room? Sing Ms. Kat’s Hello Song to all of the furniture in the room.